Grand Rapids-based Gorilla opens LA office and launches new entertainment brand

Gorilla, an award-winning production agency and film collective in West Michigan, has opened a Los Angeles division and launched a new brand, GRLA, as it expands into producing more content for the entertainment market.

Gorilla was founded over a decade ago by two filmmakers, Eric Johnson and Eric Machiela, and has grown into a diverse collective of over 30 artists from around the country.

The new brand (GRLA, a shortened name representing the Grand Rapids/Los Angeles connection) says its new L.A. location is a natural extension of their work in West Michigan, but their focus will be on growing their entertainment portfolio.

"GRLA is part of a coming of age story" for the production agency, says Ross Vande Waa,  Partner/Producer. "Commercial work has been the engine that fueled Gorilla" but the company has also steadily been working on projects for the entertainment industry. Gorilla has recently released the award-winning series, 'For the Life of the World,' produced feature-length films in Mexico and Australia, produced the original web series, Exploring Kaman, and has several other entertainment projects in production.   

Contrary to convention wisdom, however, the opening of a division in Los Angeles does not represent a one-way street out of Grand Rapids and does not mean less focus on its West Michigan office. "It's not like we have a grappling hook in L.A. and will be moving our operations west," says Vande Waa. In fact, he sees it just as the opposite: "We hope to use the connection in Los Angeles for our commercial business and bring more work here."

For an aspiring filmmaker, Vande Waa is pragmatic. He acknowledges the lack of infrastructure and distribution in Michigan and says it is a very difficult industry to break into -- but there are opportunities. Having recently attended a film festival for talented youth, his advice to get started is simple; get hands-on experience, learn by doing, start making stuff and be prepared to be self-employed.

You can learn more about Gorilla by checking out a few links:

Demo Reel: https://vimeo.com/107276262
Website: http://wearegrla.co
Lift As You Climb: https://vimeo.com/42350265

Writer: John Rumery, Innovation and News Editor